Babri Masjid anniversary: One dies in Uttarakhand blast

Roorkie (Uttarakhand): A 10-year-old boy was killed on Saturday in an explosion here that took place metres away from a college, where Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was holding an event to mark the anniversary of Babri mosque demolition.

Police said the blast took place at a garbage dump, some 20-metres from DAV College. The boy was identified as Tushar.

Police said the entire area was cordoned off and they were trying to ascertain reasons behind the explosion.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said, "As of now we cannot say anything with surety but police are trying to find it out. Let us give them some time to get to the bottom of the incident."

He also expressed grief at the loss of life in the blast. Additional director general of police Ram Singh Meena has left for the blast site to supervise search operation and investigation.

Another official said that all participants, including a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Uttar Pradesh, at VHP's 'Shaurya Diwas' function are safe.

Soon after the blast, the VHP was asked to wind up its programme, he added.

District officials said there were conflicting reports about the incident. They said some suggested that the explosion took place because of a diffused army bomb that could have come inadvertently from the cantonment area in the city.

Some weeks back, an army bomb was discovered on a roof top in a nearby locality.